Exod. 20.5 visiting the iniquitie of the fathers vpon the children vppon the third generation and vpon the fourth of them that hate me that is taking notice of iniquitie and punishing the iniquitie of the fathers vpon their children going on in their sinnes to the third and fourth generation 2 Loue Exod. 20.6 shewing mercy vnto thousands to them that loue me keep my commandements that is doing good to many generations of the faithful successiuely going on in the steps of their godly parents and obeying God as they did The third Commandement The Negatiue part The third Commandement containes First a precept or commandement Secondly a commination or threatning denounced against the breakers of it The precept forbids all manner of prophanation and abuse of Gods name standing in the abuse of his titles hi attributes his workes and his word and his holy ordinances First his titles are abused when men take them into their mouthes and vse them in their speech vnreuerently and without due respect and that either without an oath or with an oath 1 Without an oath as when men mention any of Gods titles in their common talke rashly Deut. 28.58 carelesly and vnreuerently and that either In a foolish admiration vpon some sudden accident or strange report saying Good God oh Lord oh Iesus Philip 2.10 In idle wishes and imprecations Gen. 16.5 as when men wish il to themselues or to others and vse the name of God in their wishes In cursing as when men say Gods curse light on such c. Iam. 3.9.10 2. Sam. 16.7.8 In praising God for euill things 1. Sam. 23.21 2 With an oath as when men sweare by them in their speech lightly and prophanely and that either 1 By God calling for a witnesse of vaine and friuolous things Ierem. 23.10 Hoze 4.2 Mat. 5.37 by vsuall swearing in their common talke 2 By calling God for a witnesse of their furious anger 1. Sam. 14.34 1. Sam. 25.34 by passionate swearing 3 By calling God for a witnesse of an vntruth Zâ—ch 5.4 Leuit. 19.12 by swearing falsly or forswearing themselues which is done 1 By swearing that which they know or thinke to be false Mat. 26.72 and that either directly against their knowledge or deceitfully 2 By swearing to do that which they meane not to do Psal 15.4 3 By swearing to do a thing which they also meane to do 2. Chro. 36.13 Ezech. 17.13.14.15 and is lawfull to be done and yet afterwards do it not and this is periurie except in these two cases 1 If after the oath taken God make the thing promised impossible to be done 2 If the thing that men sweare to do be not simply required to be done but either the doing of that thing or some other thing proportionable vnto it The highest degree of periurie is Leuit. 24.11.15.16 when men forsweare themselues in publike before a Magistrate The highest degree of vnreuerent vsing of Gods titles is blaspheming of them by speaking basely contumeliously or reprochfully of any of them Secondly his Attributes are abused when men thinke or speake of them otherwise then beseemes the perfect purity and holines of them namely by thinking or speaking of any of them rashly and vnreuerently or by peruerting any of them to a wrongfull vse And the Attributes of God that are most commonly thus abused are 1 His power which is abused 1 Either Exod. 5.2 Psal 12.4 2. King 18.30 34.35 2. King 7.2 when men call the greatnesse of it into question 2 Or when men speake of it carnally and carelesly or contemptuously 2 His prouidence which is abused when men being vnder the hand of God do fret and shew themselues displeased with the worke of his prouidence and that 3 Either by murmuring against it directly in plaine termes Deut. 1.27 2 Or by speaking grudgingly against the worke of his prouidence vnder other names as vnder the name of Chance or Fortune 3 His iustice which is abused Psal 50.21 Mal. 3.13.14 Iob. 21.14 when men either thinke or say that God approues of sinne or wicked sinners 4 His mercy which is abused 1 Either when men peruert it and misapplie it presuming vpon it to harden their hearts in sinning Deut 29.19.20 2 Or when men speake basely or contemptuously of Gods mercie 5 His patience which is abused when on Gods patience and forbearance for a time to punish them for their sins Zephan 1.12 Rom. 2.4 men thinke or say that God will neither do good nor euill 3 His works are abused when men thinke or speake of any of them or vse any of them vnreuerently and without due respect and the works of God which are thus abused are 1 Either the wonderfull and vnsearchable workes of God within himselfe Rom. 9.19.20 Rom. 11.33 namely his eternall election and reprobation which are thought or spoken of vnreuerently when men cauill against them and seek to bring them within the compasse of their shallow reason 2 Or the outward works of God which are thought or spoken of or vsed vnreuerently either when men see not God in his workes or when they vse them not as they ought to be vsed And these workes of God that are thus abused are 1 Either the workes of creation the creatures of God which are abused 1 When men thinke or speake basely of any of them Num. 11.6 Psal 78.18 and debase their goodnesse and discommend them 2 When men deride the wormanship of God in any of them Gen. 21.9 2 King 2.23 especially in man or woman in regard of some naturall defect deformitie or infirmitie of body or minde 3 When men beholding any of Gods creatures Psal 19.1 Psal 139.14 giue not him the due praise and glorie of his wisedome and power appearing in them 4 When men peruert any of the creatures of God to a wrong vse either contrarie to or differing from the good vse for which God hath ordained them Gen. 1.14 Isai 47.13 as to enchantment c. 5 When men sweare by them Ierem. 5.7 especially by the body of Christ and the parts and members of his blessed body 2 Or the workes of Gods administration prouidence and those are 1 Either the workes of his prouidence that fall out and come to passe in the common course of this life 1. Sam. 15.17.18.19 2 Sam. 12.7.8.9.10 Isa 5.1.2.3.4 Mat. 21.33.34 which are abused when men haue such an opinion of those works which hath no ground for it either in the word of God or in the course of nature as that it is vnluckie to pul on the shooes awrie in the morning 2 Or the works of Gods mercie his blessings which are abused 1 When men receiue them vnthankfully and requite them vnkindly 2 When men sweare by any worke of mercie as by the death of Christ or by any good gift of God as by their faith c. 3 The workes of Gods iustice which are abused
AN EXPOSITION OF THE TEN COMMANDEMENTS OF GOD Wherein the principall and most materiall doctrines are set downe By EDVVARD ELTON Bachelor in Diuinitie and Preacher of Gods word at Saint Marie Magailens Barmondsey neare London LONDON Printed for Robert Mylbourne and are to be sold at the great South-doore of Pauls 1623. THE FIRST COMMANDEMENT The Negatiue Part IT forbids First Atheisme or deniall of God Secondly all false opinions of God Thirdly confidence in creatures Atheisme or deniall of God First Psal 14.1 2 King 6.33 2 King 7.2 Malac. 2.17 Malac. 3.14 when a man doth say or at least thinke there is no God at all coming to this kind of Atheisme by two steps First by imagining God seeth not vs or doth not regard vs Psaâ— 10.11 Zephan 1.12 Secondly by imagining that God is not so sharpe and seuere in punishing sinne Eccles 8.11 as the Scriptures set him forth to be Psal 50.16.17.18.19.20.21 Secondly Ephes 2.12 when a man hath a false God instead of the true God 1. Either by placing and worshipping that which is not God in the roome of the true God Act. 19.27.35 2. Or by thinking some other thing besides the true God to be his chiefest good Philip. 3.19 Coloss 3.5.2 Cor. 4.4 All false opinions of God as First when men ioyne others to God and do not acknowledge him alone and that three wayes First 2 King 17.32 33.41 by professing more then one religion Secondly by praying to others beside the true God Deut. 6.13 Zephan 1.5 Deut. 22.10.11 1 King 18.21 Deut. 10.20 Mat. 4.10 Ier. 2.10 Act. 1.24 Exod. 22.20 Thirdly by magicke or witchcraft and that either by 1. Being Magicians or witches themselues Psal 58.5 Deut. 18.11 2. Or by seeking to Magicians or witches and vsing their helpe 2. King 1.3.16 Isai 8.9 Leuit. 20.6 Secondly when men do not acknowledge God as he is and as he hath reuealed himselfe in his word and herein men erre in misconceiuing of God touching his essence persons of the Godhead and attributes Rom. 1.21 Psal 96.4.5 Isay 37.19 Ierem. 14.22 1 Cor. 8.5 First his Essence 1. In making a multiplicitie of gods and thinking there be many gods 2. In conceiuing God to be that which he is not and thinking him to be like to creatures Act. 17.29 Secondly his persons of the Godhead 1. Gen 1.26 Mat. 3.16.17 Mat. 28.19 2. Cor. 13.13 1 Ioh. 5.7 In denying the three persons 2. In holding not onely the distinction of the persons but the * Ioh. 10.30 1 Ioh. 5.7 diuision also of the substance 3. In holding * Esai 7.14 Esai 9.6 Mat. 1.23 Ioh. 1.1 Rom 9.5 Christ the Sonne of God not to be very God 4. In holding * Gen. 3.22 Mat. 28.19 1. Iohn 5.7 the three persons of the Godhead to be but three names and titles giuen to God in Scripture Thirdly his Attributes especially these fiue 1. Ezech. 8.12 Iob. 22.13.14 Knowledge and the misconceiuing of that brings forth hypocrisie 2. Power and the misconceiuing of that brings forth 1. * 2 Chron. 33 10 cap. 36.16 Isai 5.19 Isai 28.15.22 2 Pet 3.34 Contempt of God shewed 1. In contemning his threatnings 2. 2 Chron. 28.22 Ierem. 5.3 Amos 4.6.7.8 9.10.11.12 Num. 14.1.2 Exod. 17.7 Psal 78.18.19 Mat. 4.6.7 In taking no profite by his punishments 2. A proud tempting of God shewed 1. In muttering against God 2. In seeking experience of his power 3. In trying whether he be such a * Act. 5.9 Malac. 5.15 powerfull God of vengeance as the Scriptures set him forth to be 3 * Psal 57.10 Num. 13.2.3 2 Pet. 3.4.9 Truth and the misconceiuing of that brings forth 1 * Gen. 19.14 Psal 116.11 Num. 11.21.22 Rom. 4.20 Incredulity shewed in doubtfulnesse and diffidence 2 * Psal 42.5 Heb. 10.38 Pro. 3.5 2 King 6.33 Isai 28.16 Hab 2.3.4 Impatience shewed in not waiting on God in time of triall for the accomplishment of his promise 4. * Gen. 18.25 Ierem. 51.56 Nahum 1.2.3 2 Thes 1.6.7 Rom. 2.6.7.8 Iustice and the misconceiuing of that brings forth 1. Carnall security Ierem. 8.6 Mat. 24.38 2. Spiritual slothfulnes Reu. 3.15 3. Rash and inconsiderate zeale Luke 9.54 5. Exod. 34.67.2 Chron. 30.9 Isai 55.7 Iam. 5.11 Mercy and the misconceiuing of that brings forth Desperation 1. King 19.4 Act. 16.27 Gen. 4.13.2 Cor. 2.7 Presumption 2. Sam. 4.5.7 Eccles 11.6 Deut. 29.19.20 Iud. epist v. 4. Impenitencie and enuying of Gods grace and mercie in others and to others Rom. 2.4.5 Confidence in creatures Psal 20.7 Isai 2.22 1. Pro. 28.26 Mat. 26.33.35 Act. 12.22.23 As in themselues whence followes 1. Pride or arrogancie Deut. 8.17.18 Dan. 4.27 Hab. 1.16 2. Vaine glorie or carnall boasting Ioh. 5.44 Luke 10.20 2. In other men Isai 36.6 Ier. 17.5 3. In other things as 1. * Iob. 31 24. 1 Tim. 6.17 Psal 62.10 Ierem. 49.16 Obad. v. 3.4 Psal 146.3 Riches 2. Strong holds 3. Honour authoritie high places and the like The affirmatiue part of the first Commandement It requires two things especially Isai 8.13 1 Chron. 28.9 Ierem. 9.24 Ioh. 17.3 Psal 9.10 Hoze 4.16 Coloss 1.10 1. That the mind and heart haue a due respect to God acknowledging him to be such a God as he hath reuealed himselfe to be in his word and workes 2. Confidence in God and that we rest on him alone The first is grounded on the true knowledg of God as he hath made himselfe knowne in his word both in his Essence persons properties and workes Expressed 1. In Faith Psal 73.25 Heb. 11.6 Heb. 6.1 whereof there be three sorts 1. Fundamentall faith apprehending the essence and being of God 2. 1 Cor. 13.2 Faith of Miracles apprehending the power of God 3. Iam. 2.19 Faith of the historie or historicall faith apprehending the truth of God reuealed in his written word 2 In hope 2. Chro. 20.1 Isai 8.17 Psal 27.14 which brings forth spirituall fortitude or courage standing in 1. Psal 37.7 Rom. 8.24.25 Ioh. 1.6.7.8.9 Heb. 11.27 2 Sam. 16.10.11.12 Iam. 5.11 Deut. 6.5 Luke 10.27 Act. 17.28 Iam 1.17 Mal. 3.16 Psal 119.55 2 Tim. 4.8 Spirituall securitie Psal 3.5.6 2. Constancie in good things 3. Patience in time of trouble and aduersitie 3. In loue to God manifested 1. In often thinking and speaking of God to his glorie and desiring his presence 2. In louing his word and ordinances 3. In louing his children and seruants 4. In louing his glory Psal 27.4 Psal 119.97.131 Psal 16.3 1 Ioh. 5.21 Exod. 32.12.32 Ioh. 14.1 Gen. 18.27 Isai 8.13 Heb. 12.28.29 and being zealous for that aboue all things 5. In doing his will cheerfully Bringing forth effects Properly respecting God namely 1. An holy submission to the maiestie of God 2. The feare of God which brings forth 1. An hatred of sinne Pro. 8.13 Iob 31.23 Gen. 20.11 Rom. 3.18 Heb. 12.28 and a carefull auoyding of the
Cor. 6.6 11.22 sometimes refraining from sleep and watching as need requires and as they are able so as it be not to the destruction of nature 3 In lawfull pleasures and honest delights men and women vsing them only so farre forth as they be no prouocations to fleshly lust nor hinderances to them in good duties towards God or man Rom. 13.14 1 Cor. 7.29 30. Gal. 5.13 5 In diligence and painfulnesse in good duties 2 Sam. 11.2 3 4. Ezech. 16.49 1 Tim. 5.13 men and women are euer to be doing some good thing either in their generall callings as they be Christians or in their particular callings And the best good thing wherein they are to be diligent and painfull is prayer to God that he would purifie and purge their hearts from filthie lusts 2 Cor. 12.7 8. 6 In the single estate hauing not the gift of continencie taking the benefit of holy mariage when other meanes auaile not 1 Cor. 7.2.9.36 1 Tim. 4.3 7 In the state of mariage the husbands affecting of his wife and the wifes affecting of her husband as they ought to affect one the other and also the doing of that one to the other that ought to be done for the preseruing of pure loue and of sound and heartie affection betweene them and for the keeping of themselues faithfull and constant one to the other and they affect one the other as they ought Ephe. 5.25.29 Col. 3.19 Tit. 2.4 Prou. 5.18 19. Gen. 24.67 when they loue one another with a feruent and pure loue expressing that in delighting in the loue one of another continually and cherishing one the other as they are able And they doe that one to the other that ought to be done for the preserving of pure loue and of sound and heartie affection betweene them and for the keeping of themselues faithfull and constant one to the other three waies 1 By their quiet and comfortable dwelling together in one place with no longer absence of either from other than shall be either on necessary occasion or with mutuall consent Deut. 24.5 Prou. 7.20 1 Cor. 7.10.12.13 1 Pet. 3.7 2 By so carrying themselues one to the other as that they giue no iust occasion either by word deed or gesture to suspect one the other of lightnesse or vnfaithfulnesse but so as they may haue good cause to repose trust and confidence each in the other whether present or absent Prou. 31.11 3 By yeelding due beneuolence one to the other in the right and lawfull vse of the mariage bed vsing it temperatly and seasonably and with prayer to God for a blessing vpon it 1 Cor. 7.3 4 5. Heb. 13.4 Gen. 25.21 1 Sam. 26.27 1 Tim. 4.5 The Table of the eighth Commandement The Negatiue part It forbids in generall euery thing whatsoeuer that tends to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good estate of man and those things are either inward in the heart or outward things 1 Inward things in the heart as inward longings and lustings of the heart after another mans wealth the heart giuing consent vnto them Or couetous desires in the hearts of men or women of that wealth which is none of theirs though they neuer seeke to get it wrongfully Iosh 7.21 Mica 2.2 2 Pet. 2.14 1 Ioh. 2.16 Those longings and lustings and couetous desires are most vile and most odious when they are insatiable and vex and disquiet the heart with carking cares and are so violent and strong as they set a man or a woman forward to get another mans wealth against conscience sense and reason and sometimes against the light of nature 1 King 21.4.19 20. Matth. 26.14 15 16. Eccles 4.8 1 Tim. 6.9 10. 2 Outward things and those are either Such as tend to the hurt or hinderance of a man or a womans own wealth and outward good estate Or such as tend to the hurt or hinderance of a man or a womans owne wealth and outward good estate Or such as tend to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good estate of another or others one or more Such things as tend to the hurt or hinderance of a man or a womans owne wealth and outward good estate are either Such things as doe waste and consume a man or a womans owne wealth and outward good estate are three things especially 1 Idlenesse sloth and negligence Prou. 6.6 to 12. 12.11 13.4 Prou. 20.4.13 18.9 24.30 31 32 33 34. 2 Thess 3.10 11 12. 2 Vnthriftinesse and carelesnesse either in ordering or spending a man or a womans goods Ioh. 6.12 Prou. 21.17 23.21 Luke 15.13 14 15 16. 3 Rash heedlesse and vnaduised suretiship Prou. 6.1 2 3. 11.15 17.18 20.16 Prou. 22.26 27. Or such things as doe defraud a man or a woman of the right and comfortable vse of their wealth as namely a base couetous needie and an euill eye or niggardly sparing when there is iust and necessarie cause of spending Eccles 2.26 Eccles 4.8 Eccles 6.1 2. Such things as tend to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good estate of another or others one or more And those are such things as tend to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good estate Either of the Church Or Common-wealth Or some particular person or persons one or more Those things which tend to the hurt or hinderance of the outward good estate of the Church are two things First Rom. 2.22 Sacriledge or Church-robberie Secondly Symonie Sacriledge or Church-robbery is committed two waies First by diminishing or by withdrawing and taking to ones selfe in whole or in part those things that either by the commandement of God or by the free and voluntarie gift of man or by the law of man are appointed and set apart for religious vses as for the maintaining of the Minister of the Word or of Vniuersities and Schooles of good learning Iosh 7.21 or for the maintenance releefe of the poore as Hospitals Almes-houses and such like Pro. 20.25 Malac. 3.8 9 10. or doe any way belong to the worship and seruice of God as the place appointed for the publike worship and seruice of God the Church commonly so called or the Communion table Cups Bookes and such like Secondly Ier. 23.1 2. Ezech. 34.2 3 8. Phil. 2.21 Iudg. 9.4 Dan. 5.2 3. Mat. 21.12 13. By imploying things appointed and set apart for religious vses to other ends and purposes and by abusing them especially by such as haue the benefit and vse of them Simonie or buying and selling of Church-offices or places to exercise those offices in Acts 8.18 19. 2 King 5.20 21. Mat. 23.4 and consequently buying and selling of the mysteries and Sacraments of the Church and of spirituall things for priuate gaine which is properly Simonie Those things which tend to the hurt or hinderance of the Common-wealth are three 1 The robbing of the publike treasurie 2 King
they know they deserue discredit and disgrace and doe heare a true report of some ill spoken or done by them whereby they are iustly blemished and their reputation iustly diminished 3 A stayednesse of iudgement touching ill reports that are made of others not knowing the thing or things reported to be true Things expressed and vttered by the tongue are either things expressed and vttered to another or others one or more Or of another or others one or more Things expressed and vttered to another or others one or more are two things especially 1 A speaking of the truth from the heart simply and plainely and as it ought to bee spoke with good affection and with a louing heart with an intent and desire to doe good in the speaking of it and seasonably a man or a woman hauing a calling to speake it 2 A wise and discreet speaking to others for their good as iust occasion is offered which stands in two things 1 In giuing them whatsoeuer aduice and counsell in matters of doubt and in directing them in the way of God and exhorting and stirring them vp to walke therein in loue and wisedome 2 In giuing them sound and seasonable admonition and iust reproofe for their knowne faults and offences in loue and wisedome Things expressed and vttered of another or others one or more are Either on the part of the speaker Or on the part of the hearer Things expressed and vttered of another or others one or more on the part of the speaker are Either in priuate Or in publike Things expressed or vttered of another or others in priuate are two things especially 1 A free acknowledging of the good gifts of God in others and of the good things said or done by them and a speaking of them to their praise and commendation so as it be in fit time and place as rather in their absence than in their presence and in a right manner and with moderation giuing them onely due praise and commendation and so as they doe not thereby approue of the least of their sinnes 2 A speaking in defence of the good name of others when they are in our hearing and to our knowledge traduced and slandered and ill reported of vniustly especially behinde their backs Things expressed and vttered of another or others one or more in publike are Either by such as sit as Iudges in some open place Or by such as are Aduocates or Iurors By such as sit as Iudges in some open place of iustice and iudgement and those are two things especially 1 The absoluing and acquitting of such as come before them and after due examination and triall touching some matter of crime laid against them are found guiltlesse and the pronouncing of them innocent and free from the crimes falsly obiected against them 2 A due encouragement of such as are before them and on some iust occasion are made knowne to them to be honest and good and to deserue well and a giuing of them due praise and commendation for their well doing Or by such as are lawfully called to speake in some open place of iustice and iudgement as Aduocates or as Iurors or as Witnesses which are speeches vttered by them in defence of the good name of others and for the clearing of their innocencie when they are in their hearing and to their knowledge openly wronged and falsly accused of some crime Things that are vttered and expressed by another or others on the part of the hearer are two especially First a readie receiuing of the good report that is made of another or others one or more so farre as truth and reason will giue leaue Secondly a shewing dislike of whisperers and tale-bearers either by countenance or by speech or by gesture and such like especially by Magistrates and such as be in any place of authoritie and superioritie The end of the ninth Commandement The 10. Commandement The Negatiue part It forbids in generall two things 1 The pronenesse and inclination of our corrupt nature to euill whereby a man or a woman is naturally prone to thinke will or affect any thing that is forbidden in the Law of God and contrarie to the true loue of God or man and this pronenesse and inclination to euill is in euery man and woman descended from Adam by naturall generation 2 The effects and fruits of the pronenesse and inclination of our corrupt nature to euill which are inward in the soule and those effects are two especially 1 Euill and inordinate concupiscence euery motion euen the first motion comming from the rebellion of nature whereby wee are stirred vp to euil and doe with delight thinke any thing contrarie to the true loue of God or man though wee neuer giue consent of will to commit that euill 2 A suffering our selues to be infected with those motions that Satan or euill men doe put into our minds contrarie to the true loue of God or man by yeelding to them and delighting in them and hauing our hearts tickled with delight in them The Affirmatiue part of the tenth Commandement It requires two things in generall 1 Originall puritie in all the powers and faculties of the soule and an holy disposition and inclination of the soule whereby a man or woman is at all times disposed to thinke will and affect that which the law of God requires and is agreeable to the true and perfect loue of God and men 2 The inward effects and fruits of originall puritie in the soule and of an holy disposition and inclination of the soule of man and those effects are two 1 Good and holy motions of the minde and will whereby wee are stirred vp to good things and doe with delight thinke and will that which is agreeable to the true loue God and man 2 A suppressing of euil thoughts and motions to euill whether comming from the flesh within or from Satan and euill men without and a keeping them from taking any place in our minds by the least assent to them or the least delight in them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 FINIS